Editions Ideas

[Richard (Rikki) Andrew Cattermole]

On 17/01/2026 8:27 PM, libxmoc wrote:
> On Friday, 16 January 2026 at 20:59:02 UTC, Nick Treleaven wrote:
>> On Friday, 16 January 2026 at 18:23:05 UTC, Quirin Schroll wrote:
>>> Replace magic properties with keywords and traits. For example, 
>>> `T.init` should be `default(T)`. The problem is that you can define 
>>> an eponymous member.
>>
>> I think removing support in an edition for `.init` would be very 
>> disruptive. Why not just ban redefining it?
>> https://github.com/dlang/dmd/issues/18386
>>
>>> `T.sizeof` should be `__traits(sizeof, T)`.
>>
>> Redefining `sizeof` is already an error.
> 
> In C and virtually every other language, naming a function `init` is 
> extremely common. In D, defining an `init` symbol clashes with the 
> built-in `.init` property.
> 
> Rather than outright banning `init` as an identifier, an edition is the 
> perfect opportunity to finally return this name to users.
> 
> I propose: `@init(T)` or `__traits(init, T)` as the replacement.

Unlike C, D default initializers variables, and has meta-programming.

The init property of a type is heavily used, removing it or swapping it 
for a trait is not an option.

Also that @ syntax you come up with, conflicts with UDA's, and would be 
seen as a function call.